He was born in Delta and was a graduate of the Air Force Academy and served in the U.S. Air Force for 21 years. As a member of the 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron, he was deployed to Southeast Asia to fly 17 combat missions over North Vietnam in the F-105. In 1968 he was assigned to the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base where he flew 124 combat missions, also in the F-105. He also flew and trained air crews in the F-111.

After retiring from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, he worked for the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission.